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Heart of Doolin: Emerald Isle Trilogy - Book 1
“We spent a week together and before ye even left, I knew ye’d changed my life.”
Cassie Turner has escaped her boring life in Leicester and run away to spend a week in the tiny village of Doolin on the west coast of Ireland. She’s spent the last six months trying to put herself back together after a breakup, has been treading water at work, and is counting on a little breathing room to get her life back on track.
She had plenty of plans for her week in the Emerald Isle, but a man-sized complication wasn’t one of them.
Erik O’Malley has returned to Doolin after almost two decades away. The family pub is his to take over as soon as he’s ready, and his little hometown has welcomed him back with open arms. With his family and friends all nearby, he’s ready to figure out what his life will look like now.
Was he looking for a gorgeous red-head to distract him? No.
Could he stay away if he tried? Also no.
What starts out as a one-night stand between newly acquainted drinking buddies, quickly turns into something more than either of them ever expected. But when the real world and their own lives force them apart, can Cassie and Erik find their way back to each other and build a life together?
Cassie Turner has escaped her boring life in Leicester and run away to spend a week in the tiny village of Doolin on the west coast of Ireland. She’s spent the last six months trying to put herself back together after a breakup, has been treading water at work, and is counting on a little breathing room to get her life back on track.
She had plenty of plans for her week in the Emerald Isle, but a man-sized complication wasn’t one of them.
Erik O’Malley has returned to Doolin after almost two decades away. The family pub is his to take over as soon as he’s ready, and his little hometown has welcomed him back with open arms. With his family and friends all nearby, he’s ready to figure out what his life will look like now.
Was he looking for a gorgeous red-head to distract him? No.
Could he stay away if he tried? Also no.
What starts out as a one-night stand between newly acquainted drinking buddies, quickly turns into something more than either of them ever expected. But when the real world and their own lives force them apart, can Cassie and Erik find their way back to each other and build a life together?
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2024
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
M J Duff
3 books6 followersM J Duff is an author of sweet, small town, love stories that remind her of the dirt roads that she grew up on. She has been reading and writing for most of her life, and has dreamt about putting her own stories out into the world for almost as long.
Her DEBUT NOVEL, Heart of Doolin, is the first in a three-part series called the Emerald Isle Trilogy.
M J is a thirty-something coffee lover, bookworm, police wife, mum of two, country music obsessed, and lucky enough to live in a small town in Aotearoa New Zealand.
When she's not daydreaming about her next happily-ever-after, M J can be found working in office admin, reading books, listening to country music, or taking walks on the beach whenever she can.
Her DEBUT NOVEL, Heart of Doolin, is the first in a three-part series called the Emerald Isle Trilogy.
M J is a thirty-something coffee lover, bookworm, police wife, mum of two, country music obsessed, and lucky enough to live in a small town in Aotearoa New Zealand.
When she's not daydreaming about her next happily-ever-after, M J can be found working in office admin, reading books, listening to country music, or taking walks on the beach whenever she can.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 23, 2024
It’s a sweet, easy read that doesn’t take long to get through. The romance is definitely a “fast burn” kind of vibe, which was fun but also left me wishing for a bit more tension or slow-build chemistry. Instead, it’s kind of insta-love, which isn’t a dealbreaker, but a little more buildup would’ve made it even better.
One thing I really liked was the glossary at the start—it’s handy for any Irish slang or phrases you might not know, and gives the book a nice authentic feel without slowing you down.
Overall, it’s a cute, breezy read that hits the spot if you're in the mood for something light and romantic.
One thing I really liked was the glossary at the start—it’s handy for any Irish slang or phrases you might not know, and gives the book a nice authentic feel without slowing you down.
Overall, it’s a cute, breezy read that hits the spot if you're in the mood for something light and romantic.
April 26, 2024
A fantastic debut novel. Cassie and Erik are both wonderfully likeable characters with their own histories and hurts from the past. The setting in Doolin, County Clare reads true and the mixture of English and Irish totally works. Romance, swoony, feel good read that I couldn't put down. Can't wait for books 2 and 3 now!!!
May 11, 2024
"We spent a week together and before ye even left, I knew ye'd changed my life."
🤎
As a curvy girl myself, being represented as the FMC in a romance novel is always a draw card and MJ totally made Cassie’s character relatable. Heart of Doolin gave me all the feels especially that feeling of giddiness and wanting to kick your feet in the air at the swoony love story.
My quick notes without spoilers were “Dev is a dick. Erik is amazing. What a dream 😍”
For a debut novel this was absolute perfection for what I needed at the time I read it. Thank you @emjaysbooks for having the courage to publish the story because this is one of my favourite romance reads of the year so far! It had me smiling, laughing and doing little happy dances. I can't wait for the next 2 books of the trilogy!
🤎
As a curvy girl myself, being represented as the FMC in a romance novel is always a draw card and MJ totally made Cassie’s character relatable. Heart of Doolin gave me all the feels especially that feeling of giddiness and wanting to kick your feet in the air at the swoony love story.
My quick notes without spoilers were “Dev is a dick. Erik is amazing. What a dream 😍”
For a debut novel this was absolute perfection for what I needed at the time I read it. Thank you @emjaysbooks for having the courage to publish the story because this is one of my favourite romance reads of the year so far! It had me smiling, laughing and doing little happy dances. I can't wait for the next 2 books of the trilogy!
October 4, 2024
Great read
First you did Doolin and the area proud. I have been there numerous times and can't seem to get enough of that town and its wonderful people. This is a story that makes me want to read the next book. Also it needs to be a story for people who aren't "perfect" to how the world thinks everyone should be it gives hope and courage. Thank you and looking forward to the next one.
First you did Doolin and the area proud. I have been there numerous times and can't seem to get enough of that town and its wonderful people. This is a story that makes me want to read the next book. Also it needs to be a story for people who aren't "perfect" to how the world thinks everyone should be it gives hope and courage. Thank you and looking forward to the next one.
November 22, 2024
Adorable cosy romance with a gorgeous setting and a lovely tale of self acceptance. I'm looking forward to returning to Doolin in the next novel
September 19, 2024
God, can I PLEASE be Cassie?! This is the ultimate feel-good love story, and it’s gonna be a comfort book for me for sure.
December 23, 2025
Such a cosy read. Small town romance thats soft and squishy. Erik and Cassie are to cute. His rough exterior and soft inside paired with her soft outside and hard interior is a matched made in heaven. Making her realise everyone has a somebody that will love them for who they are is everything ♥️
I loved that Cassie found out how to love herself again and finding her voice, as a plus size girl myself I was able to resonate with her and made me love her character even more.
I truly loved this and can't wait to read the next one
I loved that Cassie found out how to love herself again and finding her voice, as a plus size girl myself I was able to resonate with her and made me love her character even more.
I truly loved this and can't wait to read the next one
January 14, 2026
Cassie is in Doolin for a short holiday. She's recently broken up with her long term boyfriend and is finding her feet again. She doesn't expect to meet a handsome guy on a motorbike and certainly didn't expect the instant attraction.
💚 Small town
💚 One night to forever
💚 Fun side characters
💚 First book in the series
💚 No 3rd act breakup
"We spent a week together and before ye even left, I knew ye'd changed my world. "
It took me a while to get into the story, insta love isn't my favourite, but by the end, I was reading with a big smile on my face. Erik is a big walking green flag and I'm here for it.
My verdict: A sweet debut and I'm intrigued to see who gets their story in books 2 and 3
💚 Small town
💚 One night to forever
💚 Fun side characters
💚 First book in the series
💚 No 3rd act breakup
"We spent a week together and before ye even left, I knew ye'd changed my world. "
It took me a while to get into the story, insta love isn't my favourite, but by the end, I was reading with a big smile on my face. Erik is a big walking green flag and I'm here for it.
My verdict: A sweet debut and I'm intrigued to see who gets their story in books 2 and 3
January 2, 2026
A beautiful romance to escape into! A piece of my heart lives in Ireland and this book pays beautiful homage to the isle of love. Light on the spicy, heady with tension and desire, heavy on the happily ever after. Totally recommend and am looking forward to jumping into book 2.
November 23, 2024
I loved reading Heart of Doolin because it had everything romance, friendship, insecurities, etc.
I could put myself in Cassie's shoes throughout the book and see everything through her eyes, the Irish landscape, and her emotions. I loved reading Cassie and Erik's love story and their feelings throughout the book. I have had similar insecurities in my life, about living my life for other people, being silent when I should have spoken, and standing up for myself, so I can relate to Cassie on how she was feeling.
I highly recommend this book to all my friends and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. As proof that I enjoyed reading it, I read it in a day—it was that good. I couldn't put it down.
I can't wait to read the second book in the Emerald Isle Trilogy.
I could put myself in Cassie's shoes throughout the book and see everything through her eyes, the Irish landscape, and her emotions. I loved reading Cassie and Erik's love story and their feelings throughout the book. I have had similar insecurities in my life, about living my life for other people, being silent when I should have spoken, and standing up for myself, so I can relate to Cassie on how she was feeling.
I highly recommend this book to all my friends and hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. As proof that I enjoyed reading it, I read it in a day—it was that good. I couldn't put it down.
I can't wait to read the second book in the Emerald Isle Trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews